The real Gladys Aylward was a small woman with dark hair who bore no resemblance to the blond 5'9" Ingrid Bergman. She had never kissed a man and felt her reputation was damaged by the concocted romance in the film. She never left the orphans to rejoin the Colonel, and cared for orphans until she was 60 years old. These were just some of the liberties Hollywood took with the true story. Although she found herself a figure of international interest because of the film's popularity, Aylward was mortified by her depiction in the film and the liberties it took. But Ingrid Bergman was a truly great actress, and she gave her character the same compassion that Aylward had. Filmed entirely in Wales, the outstanding cinematography makes you think it's China. Malcolm Arnold's fine score perfectly compliments the story. Robert Donat's final performance is memorable. Despite its deviations from the truth, it's still an inspiring story, one that I still enjoy watching. Gladys Aylward died in January 1970, a month and a half short of her 68th birthday. She was buried in a small cemetery on the campus of Christ's College in Taipei, Taiwan.
Review of The Inn of the Sixth Happiness
